Desired by The Kings

Chapter 6

As lunch came, I found myself sitting across from Olivia, and she made sure I couldn't ignore or escape her by calling me. We lined up, and I had to choose a meal that was right for my daily budget of ten dollars. Thankfully, I don't eat much, so I just got myself a chicken sandwich. Olivia bought a plate of spaghetti that almost exceeded her daily budget.

They have a fixed meal that you won't have to pay for, but it's like seeing those horrible meals from prison series and movies, and I'd rather eat a snack worth five dollars than that.

"How long have you been here?" I asked Olivia once we were sitting down.

"Oh, two weeks. You?"

I removed the plastic from my sandwich and took a bite before answering her. "A day."

"A day, and you're just in time for their prank." Olivia teased me, and I rolled my eyes.

For the second time this day, I froze when someone sat beside me and even flung their arm around me like we were close friends.

"Hey, nice to see you again, Majiko, my love."

The corner of my lips twitched in annoyance, and I hit his rib using my elbow, making him grunt in pain.

"Do not touch me, you pervert. Shoo." I shooed him using my hand, and he only pouted but scooted away.

"Hey, I'm Nico. Are you a friend of my girlfriend?" Nico asked Olivia and offered his hand.

"I'm not your girlfriend,” I countered and rolled my eyes.

He reminds me of Benjamin, but more annoying.

"Olivia." Olivia introduced herself as she teased me with her eyes, but I only widen my eyes and shook my head. "Nice to meet you, Nico. And yes, I'm her friend." She continued as she shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet two beautiful flowers in this wretched place. I now announce us as friends."

"Ooh, I like that!" Olivia agreed while clapping her hands, and I groaned in frustration.

Whatever happened to not making any friends, Majiko? And now you have two annoying self-proclaimed friends on your first day.

Great!

I intended to befriend someone for the sake of information because I didn't want to be attached to anyone. Not to mention that everyone around me is a suspect, and I cannot trust them. But maybe fate is on my side, and they are helping me get the answers I need.

I cleared my throat and looked at Olivia and Nico, who sat with me. "Uhm, I know we are all new here, but you two have been here longer than me. How much do you know about Kings University?"

"Well, what do you want to know? I've been here for a month, but I knew and heard things before I arrived here,” Nico answered as he chewed lettuce.

Perfect. I said it in my mind and scooted a bit closer to them. I looked around us a bit and saw that the others were far from us.

"What do you know about the hierarchy here?" I asked, keeping my voice loud enough just so they could hear me.

"Why are you whispering? It's not even a secret,” Olivia said before Nico could answer, and I blinked slowly. "And I can't answer that. I was from the other side of the country, and no one wants to be friends with me until you two, so I'm clueless." She added with a shrug, and we turned to Nico.

He blinked at us before he cleared his throat. "Kings University is strict about that. As you know, we are divided into five ranks. The kings are the founders of this university. No one really sees them aside from a few ministers, and I was told once you do, you'll not see them the next day. No one even knows what their names are. They are just known as Venom and Alpha."

"Venom and Alpha? Are those nicknames?" Olivia asked, cutely tilting her head.

"Of course it is; do you think they are actually vampires and werewolves?" Nico said sarcastically before he continued. "Next to them are the ministers, and they usually come here as one. They will not start as pawns like us and rank up. They are from the most prestigious and influential family in the country, and they are practically untouchable. And because of that, they are mostly bullies, and they start games whenever they like, and no one will stop them aside from the kings, but they don't really care about this matter."

He then aggressively bit his carrot. "The man earlier? That was Carson. He likes games and he's a menace. I haven't been here for long and he already played ten games, including earlier. I suggest you stay away from him and don't even look at his eyes. If he's taken an interest in you, he will make your life a living hell. I heard the last one he's taken a liking to ended up... killing themselves."

I stiffened at his last sentence; my whole body felt like it was drenched with cold water. I opened my mouth to say something but did not find my voice.

"But he's alive. Barely. They found him in time before he expired, but he left Kings University."

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding at that point, and they both looked at me. I thought I had found the suspect! But then again, life is never that easy.

"Are you okay, Maj? Drink some water." Olivia asked in concern and moved the glass of water close to me.

I took it to calm myself and waved my hand. "I just remembered something I need to do, but I'm okay. You can continue, Nico."

"Where were we, ah, the Scholars next? You don't need to trouble yourselves with them. They are mostly busy studying and keeping their scholarships, but beware because you might encounter a manipulator. Did you know that the winner of our state's quiz bee is from here? No? Now you know. So our scholars are not to be underestimated. What you need to be worried and cautious of are the Guards."

"Why?" Olivia and I asked in unison, and she giggled.

"They will do anything to rank up or at least have power in the university. They are bloodsuckers and they will hold onto you until you are no use of them. So be careful with your secrets or every move. One wrong move from you is a blessing to them. They will not let even small things go unnoticed and they will report it to the ministers. They are also willing workers of them. They do the dirty work such as hurting someone."

My ears perked up at what I heard. I am aware that every rank can be a suspect, but what if a minister and the guards teamed up to hurt my twin?

"Can they rank up to a minister?" Olivia asked.

Nico scrunched up his nose. "I think I heard that isn't impossible, but it will take them a long time or they will need to do something heinous to be one. My friend told me that if one wants to, they need to forget about their morality and be an animal."

The hair on my arms stood up at that. "Just what kind of university is this?"

"I agree. I'm scared,” Olivia said, whimpering a little. "Are we in a university or a prison?"

"Hey, hey, hey. Why do you think our parents send us here despite all of that? Why do you think most of the bullied and helpless ones endure the hardship here?"

I shrugged and curled my lips. "To graduate and have a good job?"

"Not only that, my girls. Once you graduate here, the university itself will endorse us to the best company, and we will be given the job we want. Some even achieve their dream job. So I say it's worth it."

I pursed my lips in disagreement. "You said it yourself. A man almost died because of bullying, and those who came from prestigious families played with us. A university where the founders do not even give a sh*t. Is it worth it?"

With that said, I stood up with my tray and returned it before leaving to get to my next class. What Nico said was just absurd. Do we need to go through all this to get a job that we can get with our own potential? Why would you sacrifice your mental and emotional health for that? Is the trauma you'll experience before all that worth it?

I heard hurried footsteps behind me, but I did not mind them until I stumbled forward because of the impact when Nico flung his arm around my shoulder.

"I'm sorry if I offended you in any way, okay, darling? It's just that.. my parents, friends, and everyone around me think so. I guess that is the price of being from an ordinary family. We all want what's best for them, even if sometimes it's too much for us."

I swallowed, and the frown on my face gradually faded at what he said, and then I realized that yes, some people did not grow up in a nice life as I did. Some of them are thriving and doing everything they can for their family's future.

"It's all right. I'm sorry if I was being insensitive."

"Nah, I understand your point. But personally, I think that life is fùcked up anyway; why not let it fùck you and be successful after?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at his choice of words. We both turned when we heard our names to see Olivia running after us, and she bent over and tried to catch her breath.

"Why are you guys so fast?" She exclaimed and held her hips. "I think I need to exercise more."

Nico and I both laughed at her, and Olivia took a seat on the bench and glared at us.

"It's not funny."

Nico removed his arm and sat beside Olivia. "You stormed out and I did not get the chance to finish my story. You heard about the ranks and what they do. Rules differ with each rank, and I'm not actually educated about this. But I know about the budget because that is what I find a bit unfair! We all need money, ugh!"

"Wait, the others are not the same?"

"Yes. Unbelievable yet not really surprising. We, pawns, are limited to fifty. The blood suckers are at eighty. The smart asses have a limit of a hundred, and well, the king's favorite can have up to a grand a week."

"That is unfair!" Olivia exclaimed loudly, making those who heard her turn to us, and she almost hid beneath the bench.

"It is what it is. Welcome to Kings University, ladies."